<p>Just wanted some advice from people at UF now. I'm going to be a Grad student going for my masters in MSE at UF. I was wondering where you guys think I should room(on campus/off campus, grad/undergrad housing, etc), if you guys know anything about housing for grad students, what the weather's like year-round(been to Florida about 6 times, but wondering on how all the seasons are), and what are some musts to bring to UF. And I was wondering what people think of having a car or not having a car. If you can think of any more advice, it'd be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>There is on-campus housing for grad students, but it is limited. The housing website at UF has a great overview of all the options. There are also numerous off-campus choices, either in local neighborhoods or in college-oriented apartments. I think you should visit and look around before you decide. If you don't mind taking the bus, you can survive pretty easily without a car. It is a bad idea to try to have a car on campus -- parking is terrible. If you can find a place to live on a bus route, you are better off. Buses are free to students.</p>
<p>Weather is lovely in Gainesville. The winters are cool but not cold, with generally only a couple of weeks of weather that might require a jacket during the day. You should be comfortable in shorts for most of the year. Florida is very casual -- many people wear sandals even in January and February. (I know I do!)</p>
<p>I believe the wait for graduate student housing is somewhere over 12 months... I was told closer to 16 months.</p>
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<p>What's you specialty of interest? (i.e. metals, polymers, ceramics, biomaterials, etc)</p>
<p>Florida is HOT most of the year. Right now the highs are in the mid 80's and they get unbearably hot in may/june when it's kind of dry; It was pretty close to 100 last year a few times and it's humid too which adds to the misery (I've spent the last 2 summers up at UF, going into my third now). The mornings are the worst; During the summer, I don't go in before about noon when the clouds start to build up and the water has evaporated some.</p>
<p>As for housing, I go by bus by some of it every day and it looks kinda dumpy. The apartment complex I live right now is basically graduate-only and is very quiet even though it's off one of the major roads. I feel safe too; I go jogging at 1-2am every night. I can PM you the name of it if you would like more info.</p>
<p>From August through October, as far as fall sem. is concerned, the weather is anything but what I'd call lovely. It gets so hot and humid that its miserable to walk outside just to get your mail. You'll find yourself wanting to shower at least three times a day if you lead any kind of active life. It gets a lot better around late October, thankfully. </p>
<p>If you're living off campus, you should definitely bring a car. Not having one will castrate your social life and ability to run errands efficiently.</p>
<p>Well I'm planning on specializing in biomaterials. </p>
<p>I think I'd rather be on-campus, just because it simplifies everything, at least for the first semester. On the humidity note, that's really the only thing I'm afraid of weatherwise(humidity can be just disgusting and not fun). Nice to know what people are wearing all year around and that you only need a jacket only a little. What's the temperature in Dec-Feb?</p>
<p>If graduate housing has a waitlist of 16 months, most likely I'll never get housing or would when I didn't need it.</p>
<p>And gthopeful, if you can send me the name, that'd be cool. Thanks.</p>
<p>Gthopeful, I too would like to know your thoughts on housing... from experience I know that places that look great on the internet can sometimes turn out to be massive dumps.</p>
<p>I will be attending UF as well this fall for graduate school. I'm a bit worried about the humidity having lived in Hawaii where it's warm but not terribly humid. That being said, I would pick hot-humid over cold-snow anyday.</p>
<p>Anyone ever use this website/service:
Apartment</a> Hunters - Search for Apartments in Orlando, Tampa & Gainesville with Apartment Hunters</p>
<p>I got mail from them on Saturday actually, was wondering if anyone here has ever used it, and if its really for free. I mostly ask because I'm thinking I might want a roommate or something and they supposedly help with that and its supposedly free. Thanks.</p>
<p>any one know info about oxford manor in gainesville?</p>
<p>im leaning towards oxford manor. price seems good.</p>
<p>My daughter lives in Oxford Manor and loves it there. It is older, with some apartments in better shape than others. She is moving out this summer though since they no longer do roommate matching. One of her two roommates wanted to go for a much less expensive apt. The new policy is that to have an individual lease you have to show up with all your roommates or one renter has to have the entire lease in their name (and sublease to the other renters). Oxford Manor is on a great bus route, and she never had any problem with the maintenance or front office. You should look at Mount Vernon across Archer from Oxford Manor too. It has more graduate students and has had great reviews. Check out this website:</p>
<p>It is a little dated but has a lot of good information and apt. reviews.</p>
<p>Williamsburg is cheap and close to UF. It's across from Shands and it's the sister apt to Mount Vernon. Mostly grad students live there.</p>
<p>Oh yea, sunscreen, should I wear it alot in UF(sunny place afterall)? and I heard a rumor that in Florida during the summer its really hot so most people get stuff done in the early morning and late afternoon to avoid the heat and they're otherwise inside, that so or just rumors? Any advice on finding a roommate or anything(no way I want to have an apt to myself, I'm hoping for roommates or sometihing)?</p>
<p>Late afternoon is definitely much more pleasant than early morning. In the morning the water is thick in the air and hasn't yet had time to evaporate and you will believe you are suffocating!</p>
<p>i know that during july-august i never spend much time outside during the heat of the day. i do most of my outside stuff in the late afternoon or even night, mornings are cooler, but like people have said, its really humid. you practically walking in water. don't let this taint your opinion on Florida though, besides a few months the weather is really nice with really mild winters. in the winter the most i ever have to wear is a hoodie.</p>
<p>Well, winters in G-ville can get pretty cold, certainly colder than most of central/south florida.</p>